The Curious Case of Fashion Bipolars

From Dolce & Gabbana to Giuliana and Zendaya, above, Gazelle Paulo addresses the increasing trend of bipolar political correctness within the fashion industry. (people.com photo)

There is no doubt that we live in a very complicated world. Freedom of speech and personal taste — or beliefs — get constantly trapped in a political-correctness circus because reality and rumor constantly play hide and seek in a vicious social media arena.

Back in 1996, designer Tommy Hilfiger allegedly said that if “he had known minorities were going to wear his clothes, he wouldn’t have made them ‘so nice’ and that he wished they wouldn’t wear them.” Hilfiger, supposedly, went on Oprah and confirmed these statements, getting the talk-show hostess so upset that she demanded him to leave her show. Yes, those were all rumors only, the fashion designer finally made it — for the first time — to Oprah’s show in 2007 to put an end to all these racial drama rumors. Hilfiger had never made racist comments.

Giuliana Rancic, one of E!’s “Fashion Police” commentators, released a statement on air apologizing for comments regarding Zendaya Coleman’s dreadlocked hair at this year’s Oscars. “I feel like she smells like patchouli oil … or maybe weed” was indeed said by Rancic, although it has been said she “didn’t write” the joke. Yes, we are talking about the same show where the late fabulous Joan Rivers once said “the last time a German looked this hot was when they were pushing Jews into the ovens” about Heidi Klum’s look at the 2013 Oscars. Can you imagine asking Joan Rivers to apologize for a joke? Yes, I understand that Giuliana is not Joan, but it is rather interesting that she allegedly was forced to apologize over an opinion about what an actress’ hair reminds her of, while the Holocaust joke backlash got lost in time. Rancic made the comments, but she never wrote them … silly, and needless to say, confusing.

The Italian designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana caused a furor on social media when their opinions about family were released in their interview for Panorama magazine: “The only family is the traditional one. No chemical off-springs and rented uterus: life has a natural flow, there are things that should not be changed.” And since that wasn’t enough, Dolce added independently, “You are born to a mother and a father — or at least that’s how it should be. I call children of chemistry, synthetic children. Rented uterus, semen chosen from a catalog.”

Controversy and anger has also a natural flow, and the Dolce & Gabbana brand sure felt it; so much that the gay duo, who were a couple for 23 years, had to give an interview “clarifying” their statement. Truly, it is their right to believe in whatever they want to believe. It might not be smart to shout it to the world, but sometimes rich and famous people believe they can say anything — they forget there is also other very rich, famous and powerful people who would take offense over their words. In this case, Elton John lashed out, and so did other A-list celebrities, and it was quite entertaining to follow this drama. What bothered me most, though, is the fact that back in 2005, Dolce and Gabbana appeared on the cover of the Italian Vanity Fair with four babies. Yes, at some point, they did want to have babies once … fashion bipolar al dente if you ask me!

Not too long ago, I wrote an article here on TheBlot.com about men carrying Birkin bags. Yes, I know that people are free to wear whatever they want, especially because I don’t follow fashion rules, but even if I don’t follow them, I understand their importance — otherwise, people would be wearing dental-floss bikinis to church or pajamas to a graduation. People have reacted without really reading my article, calling it sexist and homophobic, and it fascinates me that they totally missed my point, And like Karl Lagerfeld, who has strong and controversial views and always stands behind them, I stand by my personal opinion and would never change it.

If you are so emotional about your right as a man — gay or straight — to carry a Birkin made for women, please don’t forget to wear it to your co-op board interview since you can’t wear to a job interview … because women or “men” who own “real Birkin” bags don’t really have regular jobs.

I remember that old Tommy Hilfiger rumor. And you are right, it was COMPLETELY FALSE. Here is the link to the Oprah show where they proved it was a “BIG FAT LIE!” oprah.com/oprahshow/Memorable-Guests-and-Setting-It-Straight/1